Voidokilia beach: a landscape of unique beauty in Messinia

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Voidokilia beach is located on the western side of Messinia a few kilometers north of the beautiful Pylos. It is without a doubt one of the most beautiful beaches in Greece that impresses with its round shape, golden sandy beach and turquoise waters.

Photos from Voidokilia
Map of the area
Accommodation suggestions

Access to Voidokilia beach

Access to the beach can be done in two ways. The first is by car following the road from Pylos to Gargaliana which passes through the small settlement of Yalova. At about 2.5 km after the first houses of Gialova you will turn right and follow the very narrow road (summer 2009) that will lead you next to the dunes of Voidokilia.

Voidokilia beach as seen from Paleokastro Pylos

The second road again involves a car but up to a point. Specifically, very shortly after Yalova you will turn left for Divari beach. The route is parallel to the sea and you will park at the beach bar. From there you will have to walk following two routes to Voidokilia.

Stay in Boydokilia

The first includes climbing to Paleokastro Pylos and the second walking along the shore of the lagoon Yalova. Both routes hide their own thrills, although we prefer to go via Paleokastro and return “through” the lagoon.

Paleokastro Pylos

Paleokastro has a history of thousands of years as it was the fortified citadel of ancient Pylos. Heroic battles were fought there during the Peloponnesian War and during the following centuries. It was besieged and conquered by Franks, Spaniards, Turks, Venetians and of course Greeks who liberated it in 1828.

Voidokilia Beach, Messinia, Messinia

However, it is worth visiting not only for its rich history but also for the excellent and panoramic view it offers. To the north is the beach of Voidokilia, the beach of Romanos and the luxury tourist complex of Costa Navarino. To the east and behind Voidokilia is the wetland of the lagoon of Yalova. To the south and southeast you will see the Sfaktiria and the town of Pylos while to the west the Ionian Sea dominates!

Stay in Boydokilia

Because this route is uphill, it would be advisable, especially in summer, to take enough water and a hat with you before you start your walk to the castle. Descending from Paleokastro to the beach of Voydokilia you will find on your way the Cave of Nestor, the king of Pylos during the Trojan War. The descent in the first few meters needs caution but then it becomes very comfortable until the sand dunes of the beach.

The view to the beach of Voidokilia and the lagoon of Yalova from the walls of Paleokastro!

A little further and you will reach the cool waters of Voidokilia and its golden fine sandy beach. Reaching the level of the sea you will understand its true size and its real beauty. Take your swimming goggles with you to enjoy the clarity of its waters and swim to the reef in the middle of the bay where the waters of the Ionian Sea enter.

Yalova Lagoon

Your return now can be done the second way which is the one on the shores of the lagoon of Yalova. You will walk on the dunes behind the beach for about 5 minutes and then find the path that will take you to the shore. From there the walk is easy although it is advisable to watch out for snakes as we saw a large one when we were returning from this path.

However, it is worth going from there as you may see protected species, endemic plants, rare reptiles and some of the 270 species of birds that pass through Yalova on their migration route.

Swimming in the unique waters of Voidokilia.

The area, because of its importance in bird migration, is protected and has been included in the EuropeanNatura 2000 Network with a positive impact on the restoration of the lagoon to the levels before the fortunately unsuccessful attempts to drain it in the 50s and 60s.

Accommodation in Voidokilia

Divari Beach

The route ends at Divari beach at the parking area behind the beach bar. We don’t know what impact the presence of the beach bar may have on the wetland and migratory birds, but the sound of loud folk music at a loud volume, on a dala afternoon in August, had a negative effect on me.

Divari Beach in Yalova-Messinia-Pylos

However, the beach is very nice, with fine sand and shallow clear waters. To the right is the islet of Sfaktiria and straight ahead you can see Pylos , while on the small pier you will enjoy kids performing dozens of “diving” figures!

Accommodation in Western Messinia

One of the best options for your accommodation relatively close to the beach of Voidokilia, the lagoon of Yalova and Paleokastro is the picturesque town of Pylos (hotels in Pylos).

Another good choice is the even closer seaside settlement of Yalova and its few but good hotels by the sea, while an alternative is the accommodation in Methoni with its traditional houses, the nice beach in the settlement and of course its famous castle and the famous Bourtzi!

Moreover, at a distance of about 10 km from Methoni you can look for accommodation in rooms to let or hotels in Finikounda.

We could not forget the impressive and famous Costa Navarino located just 15 km or so from the beach of Voidokilia.

text/photos: Yannis Tsouratzis